How many ways can you say “I love you” to your partner? In 1, 10, 100, 1000 ways? How about in 3456 ways? The following toy scrambles phrases to say it in 3456 ways! (BTW, this makes a perfect Valentine’s Day gift. It may already be too late for this year, but keep it in mind for the next time around! But why not surprise him/her right now? )

You don’t have to solve the “I-Love-You Cube”. You just have to randomize it with your eyes closed. Then open your eyes and start with the top-central cubie, next follow the pointers to the middle cubie and the corner cubie to complete the message of adoration. (See the first figure.) That’s all you have to do! Anyone can can have fun with this. (Five examples are shown.)

Supplies:

Step 1: Making the I-Love-You Cube

If you have an old cube, it probably has stickers for the colored faces. You’ll have to peel these stickers off, then clean-off the glue residue with some solvent. If you buy a new cube, you’ll be ready to go. (New cubes have plastic faces.)

Next, print out the sheet of replacement faces onto Avery 8165 label-paper (or the equivalent full-sheet label-paper). And, if you want, apply smudge-resistant clear plastic coatings (Optional, but recommended. See the next step.) Using a paper cutter (with care!) or a sharp pair of scissors, cut out all of the little squares. Finally, peel off the backing paper, and apply the stickers. The edge stickers should have the arrows pointing to the center cubie, but the others may be in any orientation.

Attachments

Step 2: Smudge-proofing Your Squares (Optional)

Cut out the squares crudely in strips. Obtain a roll of 2” clear plastic packaging tape; roll-off a piece about 8” long. It helps to tack down the tape first onto the table and use some tape for guidelines, then slip the strips under, and smooth down the tape. (See the figures.) If you screw up and get wrinkles, just print out a new sheet and try again. (It’s easy to mess up.)

Finally, as before, cut out the individual squares, remove the backing, and stick them in place (making sure that the edge squares point to the middle).

Step 3: Making Your Own Messages

I’ve provided the sheets in Word format, so that you can edit them with your own messages, if you want. (You probably will do better than I!) The earlier Instructable, Fortune-telling Cube, gives further details for DIYers. Enjoy!